Man Against Horse 2010 Edition: October 2, 2010

Have you read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall? As well as creating unforeseen interest in the barefoot human running movement, the book also references the Man Against Horse Race in Prescott, Arizona.

"The interest in the race has grown tremendously since the book was released in 2009," says Ron Barrett, the current ride manager for the event. "Every year I say it will be the last year for me to put the race on, but every year there are more reasons to continue the tradition. This will be out 27th annual race, and more than 50 runners are already entered in the 50-mile race." It is difficult to predict the number of equine competitors because most people sign up the day before the event.

Runners and riders start together. Every year, people wait impatiently at the finish line to see if human or equine will finish first. You may be surprised at the outcome.

Man Against Horse is one of only a few races in the country in which the human and equine races are run simultaneously. The first Man Against Horse race took place in 1983 and was conceived by Prescott residents Steve Rafters and Gheral Brownlow. Gheral was a running enthusiast and owned a store in town; Steve was a cowboy who worked for the Prescott Police Department and enjoyed riding horses. As the story goes, they decided to put on the race during an evening of libations at one of the taverns on Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott.

Ron Barrett, a local runner and endurance rider, became ride manager in 1988 and moved the ride from its original location at Whitehorse Lake to its current location at the base of Mingus Mountain in Prescott Valley, AZ. All proceeds from the event go to support food banks in the area. More than $100,000 has been donated via local social service organizations since the event began.

For more information on the event or to sign up for one (or both) of the events, visit managainsthorse.net. EasyCare is proud to be among the partner sponsors the event again.

Kevin Myers

Director of Marketing

I am responsible for the marketing and branding of the EasyCare product line. I believe there is a great deal to be gained from the strategy of using booted protection for horses, no matter what the job you have for your equine partner.

Founded in 1970, EasyCare Inc. is the global leader in equine hoof protection. Our mission is to improve the well-being of horses through innovative products that provide protection, increase comfort for horse and rider, and enrich the overall human-horse experience.